Last updated on February 5th, 2026 at 07:47 am
Learn how long to grill frozen burgers, ideal grill temperatures, doneness tips, and how to cook them safely and juicy every time.
My Grilling Hack
Grilling burgers straight from the freezer is one of summer’s best shortcuts. Whether you forgot to thaw patties or grabbed a bag of frozen favorites from the grocery store, you can still get juicy, safe, and flavorful burgers on the grill with the right method.
Cook frozen burgers on the grill? Yes, you can enjoy that same juicy, flavorful burger even if you start with frozen burgers. Even if you have unexpected company stop over, and your patties are frozen, you can still be enjoying hamburgers with that great savory taste in no time.
I often come home from a long day of work and wonder what I will feed the family when I don’t plan ahead. Some mornings, it is all I can do to get everyone breakfast and send them off to school and work. This is one of those go-to meals. Especially in the summer. It doesn’t take much time at all.
In this guide, you’ll learn how long to cook frozen burgers, how to check for doneness, grill setup tips, safety info, and ways to make them taste even better.
No one will ever know you didn’t start with fresh burgers.
Can You Grill Burgers Directly from Frozen?
Yes! You can grill frozen burgers right from the freezer — no thawing required. In fact, grilling them frozen is safe when done correctly, and it often prevents them from becoming dry before the center is cooked.
Just remember that frozen burgers will take longer to cook than thawed ones, and proper internal temperature (not just color) is the only reliable way to know they’re done.
It’s summertime, and that means grilling burgers. Grilling out is one of America’s favorite pastimes, and there’s nothing quite like a fresh, juicy burger straight off the grill. But what if you forgot to thaw your meat out ahead of time? Never fear, frozen burgers can be grilled just as easily as fresh ones.
Grill Time & Temperature (Quick Reference)
Here’s a general guide to grill times for standard frozen beef patties:
| Burger Size | Grill Temp | Approx. Total Time |
| Small (¼ lb) | 325-350°F | ~14–18 minutes |
| Medium (⅓ lb) | 325-350°F | ~18–22 minutes |
| Large (½ lb) | 325-350°F | ~20–25 minutes |
| Plant-based | Medium heat | ~8–12 minutes |
Flip once halfway.Check temp near the end. Cook to package temp
Note: These are estimates. Always check with a thermometer.
Easily grill the frozen patties for approximately 15 minutes flipping often. When you flip the burgers often, this helps them retain the juices and keep flare ups to a minimum. Lower heat helps keep flaring from happening. You don’t want the outside burned before the internal temperature reaches a safe internal temperature of 160ºF. The cooking time can vary depending on the internal temperature of the grill.
How Long to Cook Frozen Burgers on Grill
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Frozen Hamburger Patties
- 4 Hamburger buns
- Salt and pepper optional
- Desired toppings
Instructions
- Preheat the gas grill to medium-high heat, 325 degrees. Remove frozen hamburgers from the freezer and thaw for a couple of minutes to make them easier to separate. Pro Tip. I use a butter knife inserted between the hamburger patties and paper to separate the patties.
- Once the patties are separated, grill the frozen patties for approximately 15 minutes flipping then with the grill spatula every 5 minutes. After 15 minutes check with a meat thermometer and continue checking until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.1 Pound Frozen Hamburger Patties
- Wait until the burgers have thawed to add the seasoning. Season with salt and pepper or other seasonings you enjoy.Salt and pepper
- Toast the buns lightly, and add the patty, desired condiments, and other toppings such as lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions if desired. Serve.4 Hamburger buns, Desired toppings
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
Assemble your hamburger or cheeseburger with your favorite toppings.
Grill Time & Temperature (Quick Reference)
Here’s a general guide to grill times for standard frozen beef patties:| Burger Size | Grill Temp | Approx. Total Time |
| Small (¼ lb) | 325-350°F | ~14–18 minutes |
| Medium (⅓ lb) | 325-350°F | ~18–22 minutes |
| Large (½ lb) | 325-350°F | ~20–25 minutes |
| Plant-based | Medium heat | ~8–12 minutes |
How to Grill the Juiciest Hamburgers?
Here is a little secret. If you brush the burger patty with melted butter as it is cooking, it will cook into the meat and make it juicier and more flavorful too. Just be careful as it can cause a flare up. If it drips onto the flames.Nutrition
How to Cook Frozen Burgers on Grill
Probably the hardest part is separating the frozen burger patty from each other from the paper pieces. I use a butter knife to carefully slide in between the patties and gently pry the frozen burger patties apart from one another.
Preheat the gas grill to medium-high heat, 325 degrees. Once the patties are separated from the paper, grill the frozen beef patties for approximately 15 minutes flipping then with the grill spatula every 5 minutes. After 15 minutes check with a meat instant read thermometer and continue checking until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Wait until the burgers have thawed to add the seasoning. If you try and add the seasonings when the patties are frozen, it will not stick to the meat. Season with salt and pepper or other seasonings you enjoy.
Sprinkling the seasoning on after about 5 minutes of cooking, allows the spices to sink into the beef more than it would it seasoning patties while completely frozen.
Step-by-Step: Grilling Frozen Burgers
1. Preheat Your Grill
Preheat to a medium heat (around 325-350°F). Getting the grill up to temperature before placing frozen patties on it helps form a nice sear without burning the outside first.
2. Place Patties on the Grill
Put the patties directly on the grill grates. No need to thaw — just space them evenly and keep the lid closed.
3. Grill, Flip, and Time It
Cook each side for roughly 7–11 minutes, flipping once (or twice) until you’re close to your target. Burgers generally take about 18–22 minutes total to cook through from frozen.
4. Check the Internal Temperature
The only accurate way to know burgers are done is by temperature:
- Beef, pork, lamb: 160°F
- Turkey or chicken: 165°F
Use an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the center for safety.
Cooking time will vary slightly depending on the thickness of the meat. Thicker burgers will require a bit more time for the center of the burger to cook.
5. Optional: Add Cheese & Rest
If you want cheese, add it during the last minute or two of grilling so it melts nicely. Once off the grill, let burgers rest 2–4 minutes before serving — this redistributes juices for better flavor.
Grilling Tips for Juicy Results
Don’t Press the Patties
Pressing burgers on the grill squeezes out juices and dries them out. Let them cook naturally for better texture. Resist the urge to press on the meat with the grill spatula. The ground meat can easily separate and fall through the grill grate, the juices will be released and cause a flare up. So, unless you like the taste of charred burgers, let the meat be, just turn it every 5 minutes.
Use Two Heat Zones (Optional)
If your grill allows, set up a direct heat zone for searing and a cooler indirect zone for finishing thicker patties. It helps cook evenly without burning the outside.
Season After They Start to Thaw
Since seasoning won’t stick well to frozen surfaces, wait until the patties begin cooking on the first side before adding salt, pepper, or your favorite spices.
Grilling Vegetarian or Plant-Based Burgers
Plant-based patties cook faster than meat, usually around 7–12 minutes total at medium heat. Follow the packaging for best results and aim for an internal temperature recommended by the product (often 165°F).
Safety First
- Always cook ground meat to the recommended internal temperature — color alone isn’t reliable.
- Don’t leave cooked burgers sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Hamburger Topping Ideas
Here are a few of our favorite burger toppings. They are simple, yet they pair so well. Fire up the grill and give one of these toppings a try for your perfect burger.
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Thousand Island Salad Dressing
- Mayonnaise
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Sliced Onions
- Pickles
- Banana Peppers
- Crisp Fried Bacon
How to Grill the Juiciest Hamburgers?
Here is a little secret. If you brush the burger patty with melted butter as it is cooking, it will cook into the meat and make it juicier and more flavorful too. Just be careful as it can cause a flare up. If it drips onto the flames.
Grilling Burgers on a Charcoal Grill
A gas grill is convenient, just turn on the burner and the grill is ready in a few minutes. Clean up is a breeze too. However, while the charcoal grill takes a bit more work, some people prefer the smokey flavor that only a charcoal grill can provide when making delicious burgers.
Add charcoal briquettes to your grill on one side or add them to a charcoal chimney starter. Once lit, pour the coals to one side of the grill.
This creates two zones: one with direct heat (a hot grill) and one with indirect heat (more of a medium heat). Once the coals are lit, let them continue to burn for 10 minutes.
Add the frozen patty to the grill grates over the direct heat (the side with the coals). After two minutes, flip the burgers to achieve grill marks on the other side. After the second side has cooked for 2 minutes and has nice grill marks on it too. Move the patties to the other side of the grill (the side without the coals).
For best results and the juiciest burgers, allow the burgers to continue cooking on the grill on the indirect heat side flipping the burgers every 5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches the safe temperature zone.
- Medium-rare burgers 135°F to 140°F
- Medium burgers 145°F to 150°F
- Well-done burgers 160°F to 165°F
Storage and Reheating
Let the cooked burgers cool to room temperature and place in an airtight container. Refrigerate and they will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Once the grilled burgers are cooked, they will have that savory charred flavor. Therefore, it is easy to reheat. Just microwave or use an air fryer for a minute or two and you can be enjoying a delicious grilled burger in a hurry.
Do frozen burgers take longer than thawed ones?
Yes — cooking frozen burgers generally takes about 50–75% longer than thawed patties.
Can I season frozen burgers before grilling?
I would recommend waiting until they are partially cooked. Seasoning sticks better once the outside begins to thaw and cook.
Why use a thermometer?
It’s the only accurate way to ensure ground beef is safe to eat. Just looking at texture or color can mislead you.
Grilling frozen burgers is easy, convenient, and safe when you follow a few key steps: preheat your grill, cook to the right internal temperature, and use good timing. With these tips, you’ll go from freezer to flavorful grilled burger with confidence every time.
Want more outdoor grilling tips and easy backyard meals? Browse more Wholesome Farmhouse Recipes grill guides for backyard inspiration!
